Electricity Generation by State

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Electricity in the U.S. comes from several sources, including natural gas, coal, nuclear power, wind, hydropower and solar energy. In May 2026, natural gas generated the largest share of utility-scale electricity nationwide at 38.7%, followed by nuclear power at 18.3% and coal at 12.7%.

Choose Energy’s August 2026 Electricity Generation Report analyzes the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The report compares total electricity generation and the utility-scale generation mix in each state using data from May 2026.

Generation figures are shown in thousand megawatt-hours (thousand MWh). This report covers utility-scale electricity generation and excludes small-scale solar generation.

Texas generated more utility-scale electricity than any other state in May 2026, producing 50,690 thousand MWh. That represented 14.3% of total U.S. utility-scale generation. Florida ranked second with 25,094 thousand MWh, followed by Pennsylvania with 18,234 thousand MWh.

The following table compares total utility-scale electricity generation in every state and the percentage generated from coal, hydropower, natural gas, nuclear power, utility-scale solar and wind in May 2026. These figures represent electricity generated within each state, which may differ from the electricity delivered to customers because power can move across state lines.

Source percentages may not total 100% because petroleum, geothermal, biomass and other generation sources are not displayed. Figures may also vary slightly because of rounding. “NA” indicates that the EIA did not report a usable value.

Coal generated 45,119 thousand MWh of utility-scale electricity nationwide in May 2026, accounting for 12.7% of total U.S. generation. Texas generated the most electricity from coal at 4,536 thousand MWh, followed by West Virginia at 3,611 thousand MWh and Kentucky at 3,442 thousand MWh. Coal represented 87.2% of West Virginia’s total in-state generation.

Hydropower generated 22,738 thousand MWh of utility-scale electricity nationwide in May 2026, representing 6.4% of total U.S. generation. Washington generated the most hydroelectric power at 6,790 thousand MWh, followed by Oregon at 2,312 thousand MWh and California at 2,308 thousand MWh. Hydropower accounted for 73.6% of Washington’s in-state electricity generation.

Natural gas was the largest source of utility-scale electricity in the U.S. in May 2026. It generated 137,271 thousand MWh, representing 38.7% of total national generation. Texas generated the most natural gas-fired electricity at 24,328 thousand MWh, followed by Florida at 19,111 thousand MWh and Pennsylvania at 10,539 thousand MWh.

Nuclear power generated 65,001 thousand MWh of electricity nationwide in May 2026, representing 18.3% of total U.S. utility-scale generation. Illinois generated the most nuclear electricity at 8,227 thousand MWh, followed by Pennsylvania at 6,014 thousand MWh and Alabama at 4,100 thousand MWh.

Utility-scale solar power generated 36,418 thousand MWh of electricity nationwide in May 2026, representing 10.3% of total U.S. utility-scale generation. Texas generated the most at 7,520 thousand MWh, followed by California at 5,945 thousand MWh and Florida at 2,720 thousand MWh.

These figures exclude estimated small-scale solar generation, including electricity from residential rooftop systems.

Wind power generated 41,157 thousand MWh of utility-scale electricity nationwide in May 2026, accounting for 11.6% of total U.S. generation. Texas generated the most wind electricity at 11,101 thousand MWh, followed by Iowa at 3,648 thousand MWh and Oklahoma at 3,474 thousand MWh.

Electricity generation varies substantially across the country. Texas generated more total electricity than any other state in May 2026 and led the nation in electricity generated from coal, natural gas, utility-scale solar and wind. Washington generated the most hydropower, while Illinois led nuclear electricity generation.

Individual state generation mixes were equally distinct. Coal accounted for 87.2% of West Virginia’s generation, hydropower supplied 73.6% of Washington’s, wind supplied 63.8% of Iowa’s, nuclear power supplied 59.5% of New Hampshire’s and utility-scale solar supplied 40.1% of Nevada’s. These percentages describe electricity generated within each state rather than the electricity ultimately delivered to its customers.

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